[Darris McNeely] A big heart equals what? I was looking at an article that was talking about how generous the United States is. The headline off to the side was, "World's Most Big-Hearted Nation This Year: The United States". An annual index of giving, the world index of giving was published just recently, and this year the United States topped the list as the most generous nation per capita above any other country in the world. And it set me to thinking about generosity, about hospitality, and about just helping a stranger.

We're heading into the darkest period of the year, the winter months, and because of that shortened days and other matters that take place with people depression often comes in. Suicides rise at this time of year at certain areas. In spite of all of the holidays and in spite of all that is going on. And looking at this index it reminded me of a principle that helps us to get to the necessary state of mind that can help us deal with something as serious as depression and melancholy. In chapter 13 of the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul makes an interesting statement that's very instructive in verse 2. He said, "Do not forget to entertain strangers for by so doing, some have unwittingly entertained angels" (Hebrews 13:2).

Now, let's not focus on for the purpose here today on just entertaining angels. That's another interesting concept, but notice what he says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers." The United States is a big-hearted nation this article says, and it tops the index of giving. Helping people that you don't know, helping people that you may even come upon through charities, through giving, through a generous spirit is entertaining strangers in one way. And having an entertaining, hospitable approach toward people and toward life is a great key of success. And it is a key to dealing with depression because it helps us get our mind off of ourselves. It puts us onto someone else less fortunate than ourselves, and it emphasizes giving and sharing, and it leads to a very important spiritual quality that helps us combat depression, which is joy. It's a by-product of being generous, of being big-hearted, of giving to people out of no matter of even our small amount of money, food, time, whatever it is that we might have being able and willing to share it.

It leads to the spirit of joy, and that is one of the best antidotes to depression, to melancholy, some of the other challenges that we might face when we sometimes focus only upon ourselves and our particular situation. Are you facing such a challenge? Focus on someone else. Don't forget to entertain strangers. Give of yourself. Give of your time. Give as you can and are able of even what you have. It will lead to joy, and it's a great antidote to some of the problems that often overcome us.

That's BT Daily. Join us next time.